Financial Ombudsman Service smashes £30,000 fundraising target for baby loss charity in just 12 Months

• Two-year fundraising target reached in less than a year

• Fundraising events organised by Financial Ombudsman staff included a skydive, Snowdon hike, football match and bake sales

• Staff at the organisation voted to partner with Sands because of its work supporting bereaved families and saving babies’ lives

The Financial Ombudsman Service has raised more than £32,000 for Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity – reaching its 2 year fundraising target in just one year.

The charity partnership with Sands, which began in early 2024, was chosen by staff in recognition of the charity’s vital work supporting families affected by baby loss and its efforts to improve maternity safety and outcomes across the UK.

Over the past 12 months, colleagues across the Financial Ombudsman Service have organised and taken part in a range of fundraising activities – including a charity skydive, a nighttime hike up Mount Snowdon, a football match, raffles, bake sales, and a sponsored fast during Ramadan in solidarity with Muslim team members.

“This incredible result shows the passion and commitment our people have for causes that truly matter,” said a spokesperson for the Financial Ombudsman Service. “We are proud to support Sands in their mission to save babies’ lives and ensure bereaved families receive the care and support they need.”

Sands will use the funds raised to continue its vital work offering bereavement support, driving changes in maternity care, and funding research aimed at reducing the number of babies who die during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

The charity partnership between the Financial Ombudsman Service and Sands will continue throughout 2025, with more fundraising and awareness activities planned for the year.

Jenny Simmonds, Interim Chief Executive said:

"I’m very proud of our colleagues. Raising more than £30,000 in just one year shows the commitment, energy and compassion they bring to causes that matter.

Sands is a vital charity that supports families at the most devastating time in their lives – and we’re honoured to be their partner.

Whilst we’ve hit our target early, we won’t stop there. We’re determined to keep raising awareness and funds in the year ahead.”

In addition to raising funds, the charity partnership with Sands has helped open up conversations about pregnancy and baby loss. The charity has delivered two awareness sessions for staff and will be running bereavement training over the coming year, helping staff feel better equipped to support each other.

Half of UK adults**, 50%, said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss. Sands provides support to everyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss, and saves babies’ lives through research, training and campaigning.

Clea Harmer, Sands’ Chief Executive, said:

"It’s wonderful to have the ongoing support of everyone at the Financial Ombudsman Service – every penny raised during this two-year partnership will help Sands support everyone who needs this and do everything within our combined power to inspire change and prevent babies from dying.

Some people can find talking about pregnancy and baby loss difficult but with so many of us affected it’s vital that everyone feels confident and comfortable to start sensitive conversations. It’s so good to hear that Sands training and awareness days are helping Financial Ombudsman Service colleagues to create a more compassionate community at work and beyond.”

Sands offers accredited workplace training for colleagues and managers, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to give compassionate support to anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss.

*Total raised by 1st April 2025 was £32,039.78. 1st April 2024 was the start date of the charity partnership.

**Half of UK adults, 50%, said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss, in response to a YouGov survey published at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) 2023. The survey was commissioned by an alliance of more than 130 charities led by Sands, Tommy’s, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust, and The Miscarriage Association.